A subcontractor completed work on March 15th and was not paid. The general contractor recorded a notice of completion on March 20th. What is the deadline for the subcontractor to file a mechanics lien?
Correct Answer
B) April 19th
Subcontractors have 30 days after recording of notice of completion to file a mechanics lien. March 20th + 30 days = April 19th.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Under California Civil Code Section 8414, a subcontractor must file a mechanics lien within 30 days after the owner records a Notice of Completion (or Notice of Cessation). The Notice of Completion was recorded on March 20th. Adding 30 days: March 20 + 30 days = April 19th. This is the correct deadline.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: June 13th
June 13th would be approximately 90 days from the Notice of Completion. The 90-day window applies to the prime/general contractor — not to subcontractors or material suppliers. Subcontractors have a shorter 30-day window after a recorded Notice of Completion.
Option C: May 14th
May 14th is approximately 60 days from the Notice of Completion, or 30 days from when the subcontractor completed work (March 15th + 60 days). Neither calculation produces the correct deadline. The 30-day clock for subcontractors runs from the Notice of Completion recording date, not from when work was finished.
Option D: May 19th
May 19th is 60 days from the Notice of Completion recording date. This does not correspond to any standard lien deadline period. The correct periods are 30 days (subcontractors after Notice of Completion) or 90 days (prime contractor after Notice of Completion).
Memory Technique
Remember the deadline split: '30 for subs, 90 for prime.' When a Notice of Completion is recorded, subcontractors and suppliers get 30 days; the general contractor gets 90 days. Start the clock from the recording date, not the work completion date.
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